Chapter 2
CHAPTER 2
M adeline and Brady strolled side by side into Coop's Home Cookin' as they did almost every morning. They moved as if they belonged together, with his arm resting around her shoulders. They had a comfortable closeness that came from just being deeply in sync with one another.
“Morning, lovebirds,” Wanda said, smiling as she reached for the coffee pot. “Y'all want the usual?”
Madeline nodded and smiled, sliding into the booth with Brady beside her. “You know us too well, Wanda.”
Wanda poured two steaming mugs and set them on the table with a wink. “I love having regulars who don't need a menu. It sure makes my job easier.”
Brady laughed as he wrapped his hands around his mug and then looked at Wanda. “So, what's the word around town this week? You always know the best gossip.”
Wanda raised an eyebrow with a mischievous grin, pulling at her lips. “Well, if you ask Coop, it's that Jubilee Vegan Café is going to be the end of this town. I swear he's going on and on about it to anybody who'll listen. People are trying to get away from him.”
“A café?” Madeline said. “I hadn't noticed what was going in over there.”
Wanda nodded, lowering her voice so that Coop couldn't hear her. “Yeah, and it's not just any café, a vegan one. I swear Coop's been calling it everything from a big-city invasion to a tragedy in Jubilee. You'd think they were setting up shop just to drive him out of business.”
Brady chuckled. “Let me guess, he's convinced they're going to run him out of town with salads and smoothies?”
Wanda nodded, shaking her head. “You know him too well. He thinks the town has gone soft and says the next thing you know, we’re going to be replacing fried chicken with tofu.”
Madeline exchanged an amused look with Brady. “Well, I guess that's one idea,” she said. “What do you think, Brady? Should we go see what all the fuss is about?”
He raised an eyebrow, entertained by the idea. “You think we should sneak over to the competition, Madeline?”
“Oh, not to eat there. They're not even open yet. I just want to see what's got Coop so riled up. It's hard to believe that little café could be such a threat.”
Brady laughed, lifting her hand up to his lips for a quick kiss. “I suppose a little peek couldn't hurt. We better be careful, because if Coop catches us, we'll never hear the end of it. He's liable to poison our coffee next time.”
Wanda topped off their mugs. “Now don't y'all go startin’ trouble,” she teased, “but if you ask me, Jubilee could use a little something new every now and then. It doesn't mean folks won't keep coming here, but nobody's convincing Coop of that.”
“Sounds like you're the voice of reason around here, Wanda,” Brady said.
She rolled her eyes, setting the coffee pot down. “Try telling that to Coop.”
As she walked away, Madeline and Brady smiled at each other, their hands still linked together.
“Well, I guess Coop thinks he's got himself a real rival,” Brady said, laughing.
“It seems silly to be so worked up, but I get it. He's been here forever. Sometimes people are just afraid of change.”
“That's probably what it is,” Brady agreed, looking around the diner. “But some things never change, and that's the part of Jubilee I love. This place hasn't changed a bit since I was in high school.”
Brady changed the subject, talking about the latest things going on at the farm and how Gilbert wouldn’t stop gnawing on the corner of the fence, and he would have to replace it pretty soon. She talked about the progress she was making with her newest book, and every now and then, his gaze would settle on her, and she'd see that quiet warmth in his eyes that made her feel like the only woman in the room.
They lingered over breakfast a bit, trying to have an easy start to the day. Wanda passed by again, giving them a knowing smile. “You two look too cozy in here. I might start charging y'all rent.”
Madeline laughed. “What can I say? Every place in Jubilee feels like home.”
Brady took her hand again, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. “And that's because it is, Madeline. As long as you're here, every place is home to me.”
* * *
B rady and Madeline were finishing up their breakfast as they lingered over the last bits of biscuits and coffee. When Coop walked out of the kitchen, his face set in a deep scowl, he saw them in the booth by the window. Without missing a beat, he marched over and pulled up a chair, planting himself at their table.
“Well, look who’s enjoying themselves this morning,” he said. His gaze turned slightly to the window, where workers were painting a sign that said Jubilee Vegan Café. He was obviously distracted by it.
Madeline looked at Brady and then turned back to Coop with a smile. “Morning, Coop. Everything okay?”
“Okay? Hardly.” Coop folded his arms across his chest, his frown deepening. He always wore one of those old-time white short-sleeved t-shirts that were so thin you could practically see his skin underneath it. “That pretentious restaurant over there has this whole town stirred up. Vegan this and vegan that. Who needs that kind of stuff?”
Brady bit back a grin. “Come on, Coop. Maybe it’s not such a bad thing. It might bring some new people to Jubilee, and that’s always a good thing.”
“New people? Why does everybody keep saying that like it’s a good thing? We don’t need any more new people here,” he muttered, rolling his eyes. “A bunch of city folks looking for fake burgers and green smoothies.” He said the last part like it left a terrible taste in his mouth.
Madeline tried to remain neutral, stifling a smile as she took her final sip of coffee. “I think that café is just a little different, Coop. That’s all. Maybe it’s not your thing, but who knows? People might enjoy having a few options around here.”
“Options. I’ve heard that before.” Coop let out a heavy sigh and shook his head. “Well, if you ask me, folks around here don’t need any options. They need the real food that God intended. Biscuits and gravy, bacon, eggs—food that sticks to your ribs.” He patted his stomach, which was nowhere near his ribs. Coop hadn’t seen his ribs in many years.
Brady leaned back. “Well, maybe you should just give it a try when it opens. Expand your palate a bit. You know, get out of your comfort zone.”
Coop scoffed. “Expand my palate? No, thank you. I’ll stick to the real food, Brady. I’m not about to swap my steak out for some fake beef nonsense.”
“Come on, Coop,” Madeline said. “Maybe you’ll surprise yourself. Who knows? You could end up being a fan of quinoa.”
“Quinoa,” he repeated. “I wouldn’t touch that stuff if you paid me. I don’t know how you young folks eat it.” He looked over at Brady, raising an eyebrow. “And don’t tell me you’re actually into that kind of thing.”
Brady shrugged. “I’ve tried it before. It’s not bad if you season it correctly. Kind of grows on you.”
Coop rolled his eyes again, clearly exasperated with both of them. “Good grief. Next thing I know, y’all will be telling me you’ve gone full vegetarian or vegan. That would be even worse.”
Brady clapped Coop on the shoulder. “Don’t you worry. I’m not about to give up my burgers anytime soon. Just saying that sometimes a little change isn’t the end of the world.”
Madeline looked at Coop, then at Brady, and she knew just how much Brady enjoyed getting under Coop’s skin a bit.
Coop huffed and stood up with a grumble. “Well, you two can go ahead and try that place if you want, and I’ll be sitting right here serving real food to real people,” he said, pointing at each of them. “Some things don’t need to be fixed. There ain’t nothing broken here in Jubilee.”
As he stalked off, still muttering under his breath, Madeline finally let out a laugh, nudging Brady with her elbow. “Why do you like riling him up so much?”
Brady smiled. “I can’t help it. It’s good for him. Keeps him on his toes.”
They finished their coffee and slid out of the booth, leaving a tip on the table before making their way to the door. As they stepped outside, Madeline looked across the street at the café, which wasn’t open yet but still causing quite a stir.
“You think Coop’s ever gonna come around?”
Brady chuckled. “Maybe someday, but I don’t think I’d count on it. Some folks just don’t like change, and Coop is definitely one of them.”
* * *
W hitney Cooper walked down Main Street with her arms crossed as she fought back the knot of emotion sitting squarely in the middle of her stomach. It had been a hectic morning at the clinic, and no matter how many times she tried to push her dream out of her head, it always came back when she had a free moment. She had always wanted to open a wellness studio, and it felt like something she was meant to do, but every time she tried to talk to her father about it, his words would echo in her mind: This town doesn’t need some new-age nonsense, Whitney.
She sighed, thinking about the last time they had spoken about it a couple of weeks ago.
As she got closer to his restaurant, she glanced toward the café across the street. Workers were hammering away, adjusting the brand-new Jubilee Vegan Café sign. The sight of it made her stomach twist into knots. It wasn’t because she shared her father’s disdain for this new place but because she envied their progress. Someone else was bringing their own vision to life while she was stuck in the same old routine.
She had been working at the clinic as a nurse for five years now. When she wasn’t working there, she was helping her dad at his restaurant, something she had done since she was a teenager. It was expected of her. Her father hoped that one day, she would leave the medical world behind and take over the restaurant. If it was up to him, she’d work there all the time.
Most parents would be proud of their children for building a career in the medical field. Even though she wasn’t working at a big fancy hospital, she was proud of what she had accomplished. She liked helping people every day. She wanted to do it in her own facility. She wanted to have a place where people could come and do yoga, learn about meditation, get supplements, and basically just take a break from the crazy world. But her father thought all of it was ridiculous. People just needed to pull up their bootstraps and get on with it.
Up ahead, she saw two familiar figures walking out of Coop’s Home Cookin’—Brady and Madeline. They always looked so happy, and Whitney had to admit that sometimes she was a little jealous of that. They were both in their fifties and had found love. Here she was in her thirties and couldn’t find anyone to share her life with. Of course, her father never approved of anyone, which made things even harder.
Whitney admired Madeline and Brady, especially Madeline, who had had the courage to pursue her dream of becoming an author all those years ago.
“Hey, y’all!” Whitney called, forcing a smile. She wasn’t feeling particularly happy this morning.
Brady raised a hand and waved at her. “Well, hey there, Whitney. How’s it going?”
She smiled and waved back. “Oh, you know, the usual. Busy at the clinic. I’m sure you’ve heard that Daddy’s grumbling about the café like it’s some kind of apocalypse.”
Madeline laughed softly. “Yeah, we got an earful about that at breakfast.”
“I bet,” Whitney said, shaking her head. She hesitated for a moment before asking, “Can I ask y’all something?”
“Of course,” Madeline said.
“I’ve been thinking a lot about opening my own wellness studio here in Jubilee. You know, meditation, yoga, stuff like that. And I really think folks around here would benefit from it. But Daddy, well, you can imagine what he thinks about it.”
Brady raised his eyebrows, clearly impressed. “A wellness studio? Whitney, that’s a wonderful idea. I’d say the town could use something like that. Everybody’s stressed out all the time, no matter where they live.”
She felt a flicker of hope, but it dimmed as soon as she thought about her father. “Daddy doesn’t see it that way. He says it’s a waste of time and that I’d be better off sticking with him at the diner. He thinks the whole idea is a little too modern, that it won’t work.” She paused, sighing. “And he certainly wouldn’t help me fund a place like that. I don’t have the money to start a business. I’ve struggled with my finances my whole life. Daddy has some money set aside for me, but not for something like this.”
“I know it’s hard to hear from your father that he doesn’t believe in your dream because his opinion matters so much to you,” Madeline said gently. Whitney nodded. “But,” Madeline continued, stepping closer, “if this is something you truly believe in, then you have to try. And I know how scary that can be. When I started writing years ago, people didn’t take me seriously at first. Some people in my life even thought it was silly. But I kept going because I couldn’t imagine not doing this. And now it’s my life. If I hadn’t taken that risk, where would I be today?”
Whitney looked at her, taking in her words. She had read some of Madeline’s books, and it was hard to believe that she had ever doubted herself.
Brady chimed in, his voice steady. “Your dad’s got a strong personality—trust me, I know that. But that doesn’t mean he’s always right about everything. Sometimes, you have to take a leap and show him you’re serious. So if this is what you’re passionate about, I’d say go for it.”
Whitney felt warmth in her chest. Their words felt like a lifeline.
“Thank you both so much,” she said. “It means a lot to hear you say that. I’ve just been going back and forth in my mind about whether I should bring it up again.”
“You do need to bring it up again,” Madeline said. “And if you need somebody in your corner, I’m always here.”
“Thanks, Madeline. And you too, Brady.”
“Anytime,” Brady said with a wink.
She gave them a wave as they headed toward Brady’s truck, their conversation fading into the air as they walked away.
Whitney stood there with the morning sun warming her face and let herself feel that sense of hope in her chest. But before she could think about much else, her father poked his head out of the door of the restaurant.
“Come on, Whitney. I’ve got orders backed up, and I need your help.”
* * *
W hitney stood behind the counter at Coop's Home Cookin', wiping down the same spot on the counter for the third time in a row. Her father had disappeared somewhere back in the kitchen to check on the latest delivery. He was muttering something about lazy suppliers.
For a moment, the restaurant was pretty quiet, and she was basically alone. Her eyes drifted to the window, where she could see workers carrying boxes and light fixtures inside the Jubilee Vegan Café. The café was so close that it felt like it was taunting her.
For the last several days, she had resisted the temptation to sneak over and take a look. Her father's rants had only grown louder and more persistent. Every time she mentioned the café, he would start into a tirade about how it didn’t belong in Jubilee. Honestly, she didn’t understand why her father was so threatened by it.
Now, as she stood there looking at the place through the windows, it seemed to be beckoning her on a dare.
She glanced toward the kitchen. She could hear her father's voice barking orders at somebody about a delivery. If she was quick, he might not even notice that she was gone.
Before she could second-guess herself, she untied her apron and folded it neatly on the counter before slipping out the front door. She squinted in the bright sunlight and hurried across the street with her heart thudding in her chest.
She knew she shouldn’t do it, but she pushed the door open, and a soft chime announced her arrival.
She paused just inside the doorway, her breath catching. This place was nothing like she’d imagined.
The space was open and airy, with large windows letting in natural light and beautiful views of the mountains beyond. Clean lines and sleek, minimalist décor gave it a welcoming but polished vibe.
Potted plants lined the walls, and warm wooden tables paired with crisp white chairs created a calming atmosphere.
She walked further inside, her fingers brushing the edge of a glossy counter that gleamed under the light. Everything smelled a little bit like citrus or eucalyptus, which was a far cry from the fried smell that she was used to at Coop’s.
“Hey there,” a deep, friendly voice called out, startling her.
Whitney quickly turned and saw a man walking toward her, wiping his hands on a towel. He was tall and lean, his dark hair slightly messy in a way that made him look like he was completely put together. His shirt sleeves were rolled up, showing off his strong forearms, and he had a warm smile. He wasn’t at all what she had expected.
“Oh, hi,” she stammered, feeling embarrassed.
“You must be one of Coop’s people,” he said, his smile widening as he extended his hand. “Tate Morgan. I’m the owner of this little place.”
Whitney hesitated for a moment before shaking his hand. She was surprised at his southern accent. She didn’t know why. He could have been from anywhere, for all she knew.
“Whitney Cooper,” she said. “I just wanted to take a look around. I guess I’ve been a little curious. My dad owns Coop’s.”
“Well, I’m glad you stopped by,” he said. “Let me show you around. I’m still getting things set up, but I’d love to get your input—hear what you think.”
Whitney followed him as he gestured toward the seating area. He talked about the custom-made tables and the local artwork he had put on the walls. He spoke with such easy confidence, clearly passionate about what he was creating there.
“This is more than just a café for me,” he said, stopping in front of a row of shelves lined with organic teas and supplements. “I wanted to build a place where people could feel good about what they’re putting into their bodies. You know, where you can slow down for a minute and focus on health.”
She found herself nodding. “That’s exactly what I’ve been dreaming about,” she said without thinking.
He turned to her, his expression curious. “Really?”
“Yeah,” she said, feeling a little bit shy. “I’ve been thinking about opening a wellness studio, you know, a place for yoga, meditation, that sort of thing. My dad, of course, thinks it’s a ridiculous idea. He’s a little bit old school. He’s convinced that Jubilee doesn’t need anything like that.”
Tate leaned against the counter and crossed his arms as he listened. “You know, people sometimes resist change until they see the benefits for themselves. A wellness studio sounds like the perfect fit for a place like this. Small towns often don’t have anywhere to go for holistic healing, and they should have access to those just like the big cities do.”
She felt a spark of excitement. “Yeah, that’s what I’ve been saying. I just… I don’t know. It’s hard to take that first step when the person closest to you doesn’t believe in it.”
He nodded. “I get that. When I told my family I wanted to leave my corporate job and open this place, well, they thought I’d lost my mind. But I knew it was something I had to do. If you really believe in it, you’ll find a way to make it happen—just like I did.”
She studied him, surprised by his kindness. She had expected him to be a little more aloof, maybe even condescending. But no, Tate was genuine.
“Thank you,” she said. “I didn’t expect to hear that today. And I’m sorry for breaking into your place.”
He smiled. “Well, just know you’ve got at least one person in your corner. And for what it’s worth, I think your dad will come around eventually. It’ll take him a while. I know he probably loves this town with everything he has in him, but he’ll see what you’re doing is good for everyone.”
“I hope you’re right,” she said, looking toward the door. She knew she couldn’t stay there much longer without raising suspicion.
Tate straightened. “Let me know if you ever want to talk about your ideas. I’d love to help however I can, especially since I just opened a business myself.”
“Thanks, Tate. I appreciate that, and you have a beautiful place here. I know it’s going to do really well.”
As she stepped back outside, she had a storm of emotions rolling through her. She couldn’t deny that she felt a connection with Tate, even after meeting him just for a few moments. If nothing else, he would be a great friend to her—if her dad wouldn’t interfere.
Then she thought about her dad. She could already hear his voice in her head, dismissing everything that Tate stood for and everything she wanted to build.
She looked back at the café one more time before crossing the street. She wanted to spend more time with the man she had just met—the one who understood her— but loyalty was a powerful thing, and as much as she wanted to follow her heart, she just couldn’t shake the weight of her father’s expectations.
She slipped back into Coop’s. Her father barely looked up from his conversation with Wanda, but Whitney’s world had shifted in the span of fifteen minutes, and she wasn’t sure if things would ever feel the same again.